Chapter Three

Hero and villain regarded each other for a few seconds. It was long enough for the other Titans to circle the Dalek.

"We've got you surrounded!" Robin told it. "Give it up!"

The Dalek turned to face him. Then, it's torso swiveled independently and faced Cyborg.

"Exterminate!" it cried.

Cyborg dove out of the way, barely avoiding the beam. The rest of the Titans dispersed in various locations, hiding from the alien death machine.

"You can not hide from me forever!" it told them. Then, it started to fire at random locations.

Robin was huddled with Starfire in an ally. They could see the shots go past them.

"That thing's going to wreck the city unless we stop it!" Robin whispered.

"What can we do?" Starfire asked. "It resists our efforts!"

"We fight anyway!" Robin declared.

He then took out a group of disks. Starfire nodded at him, a determined expression on her face.

"Titans, go!" yelled the Boy Wonder as he threw his disks at the Dalek.

They exploded, releasing a thick grey smoke around the monstrosity.

"Do you think this will stop me?" said the Dalek.

"I know this will!" Starfire exclaimed as she flew toward the fiend.

She punched it with all her might, sending the machine hurtling several yards away, but undamaged. Starfire, on the other hand, was injured. The force field's energy was enough to leave a burn mark on her fist. She winced in pain and nursed her reddened hand.

Cyborg had jumped behind the Dalek after Starfire assaulted it, and began to beat on its dome. But each time, he only produced a shower of sparks from his fists. The Dalek was still intact and swung it's torso toward him. Realizing the danger, the bionic hero jumped clear of it's line of fire.

Raven lashed out with a claw of energy, and tried to grab the Dalek. But she could not get a grip, as the force field resisted it.

As Raven attempted her assault, Beast Boy has transformed into a bear, and tried to claw at the machine. But his paws were singed before he could lay a single blow. He reverted to human form and took cover behind a car.

The Dalek examined it's situation, seeking the most vulnerable target. It decided on Raven, and so took aim. Beast Boy saw this from his hiding spot. Springing into action, he became a cheetah and charged at the mystic.

"Exterminate!" the Dalek cried.

Just as it fired, Beast Boy had pushed Raven out of the way. But he was not fast enough to avoid injury; the beam had grazed his leg enough where it scorched it, leaving a large burn mark. As he landed on top of Raven, he reverted to human form and screamed in pain.

"No!" Raven yelled.

She helped Beast Boy to his feet and managed to run to the other Titans, who had regrouped a few yards away. The Dalek approached them.

"It is inevitable, Titans." it told them. "You can not hope to defeat me. Give up now, and I will endeavor to make your deaths quick and painless."

"Drop dead!" Robin told it.

"Exterminate!" it replied.

Raven threw up a large force shield of her own that spanned the width of the street to block the Dalek's death ray. It fired several times before realizing the futility of it's action. Then, after a moment's hesitation, it fired a continuous beam.

"You can not hold out forever!" it said. "You will be exhausted. Then, I shall make the kill!"

"He's right!" Raven exclaimed. "The beam is weakening me! I can't hold it forever! Not at this size!"

"You won't have to." said Cyborg. "Just hold it long enough!"

He opened a panel on his arm and typed in some commands.

"What are you doing?" asked Robin.

"I upgraded myself with a remote to the T-car." he explained. "I'll bring it around to come and pick us up."

"Excellent work, Cyborg!" Starfire said.

"Hurry it up!" growled Raven. "I'm loosing it!"

"You can do it, Raven!" cheered Robin. "Be strong!"

The mystic took the words to heart. She summoned her inner strength, and put it all to maintaining her shield.

Just when it seemed she was about to wear out, the T-car arrived.

"Everyone in!" Robin yelled.

The rest of the Titans got in the car, while Raven kept up the shield.

"Raven, let's go!" Cyborg cried out.

The mystic checked to make sure no one was in the path of the death ray. Then, with a gasp, she dropped the shield. The death ray struck an empty car in the distance.

Raven ran into the T-car, and slammed the door. Cyborg then floored the gas pedal, slamming the occupants against the seats.

The Dalek watched as the T-car vanished into the distance. It began to plan its next strategy as it now made its way toward the direction of the bay.